Water-distribution system



fNo'Model.)

v J. L. WHITE. WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.

No. 588,305. Patented Aug. 17,1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICEQ JOHN L. WHITE, OF LEONORE, ILLINOIS.

WATER-DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 588,305, dated August 17, 1897.

Application filed. March 9, 1 8 9 7.

To all whom, it ncty concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN L. WHITE, of Leonore, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ater-Distribution Systems, of which the followin g is a specification.

This invention relates to a system for distributing water by means of pneumatic pressure, and is particularly adapted for use in distributing water, for example, to the different stories-of a building, for fire protection, for sprinkling, and generally in situations where, by reason of remoteness from power, pressure cannot be obtained conveniently or economically.

While my invention is designed to meet the requirements of rural communities and foruse in isolated situations, it can be applied generally wherever it is desired to supply water to one or more consumers under pressure adequate to raise it to the different stories of buildings for domestic use, for fire protection, or for sprinkling lawns, and the like.

My improved system comprises, in general terms, an engine, which, on the score of economy, may be a wind-engine or windmill, preferably connected to a pump adapted to supply both air and water, a receiver or reservoir to which air and water is supplied under pressure, and suitable connections, including pipes and valves, whereby both air and water may be forced into the reservoir or receiver and the water maintained under air-pressure either constant or variable, but sufficient in all cases to force the water out of the reservoir and distribute it as desired.

My preferred system orapparatus is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view, including a side elevation, of a wind-engine arranged over a well and connected with a pump therein and showing also a receiver with'its wall partly'broken away to disclose a valve and float, and a building of several stories, which may be supplied with water. Fig. 2 is a detail showing a portion of the valve.

In the drawings, A indicates a windmill, which may be of any desired type or form and whose operating-rod B is connected with a suitable plunger working within the pump cylinder 0, the latter being arranged in a well and connected by the pipe D with the Serial No. 626,620. (No model.)

reservoir E, arranged in any convenient relation to the engine and well. In the drawings the reservoir is shown placed below the earthsurface, which is indicated at F, and

in convenient proximity to the basement ofthe building G. The receiver is preferably placed below the ground, so that the water will not freeze. The water will be pumped by the wind-engine into the reservoir, the water-level being indicated by the shade-lines in the drawings. Above the body of water the air contained in the reservoir will be compressed, and air may also be forced into the reservoir through pipe D. The air-intake pipe is shown at I, and is a continuation of pipe H. In order to control the air-pressure, a valve h is placed in the pipe' H and a float K is connected to the valve-stem, so that when the water attains a certain elevation Within the reservoir or tank the valve will be opened, air will be drawn in at the in- The air delivered into the tank through pipe D will rise through the body of water and will. exert such pressure thereon as to force the water outas, for example, through deliverypipe L whenever a vent isopened in saidpipe or its connections. .As the water is drawn off the float descends, the valve is closed, and more water admitted. By means of this simple apparatus, therefore, a constant supply of water is maintained within the tank or receiver under a sufficient air-pressure to force the water to a considerable elevation, the height to which the water can be raised depending, of course, upon the stored pressure.

The wind-engine may be provided with the pumping mechanism, and such pumping mechanism may be run by any form of engine.

The chief value of my invention resides in the fact that it is applicable to widely-varying conditions and avoids the expensive features of the systems now in vogue, which employ stand-pipes for obtaining a head of water suflicient to afford the requisite pressure, or, on the other hand, the expense attending upon running the pumps continuously to maintain the necessary pressure in the mains and distributing-pipes of a water system.

Myinvention further improves the quality of water because the liquid is constantly undergoing aeration.

I do not limit my invention to precise details of construction or arrangement of parts; but

I claim-- 1. In a water-supply system, the combination, witha water-supply, of a pump for raising the water, an engine for operating the pump, a storage tank or reservoir into which the water is pumped, connections whereby the pump may be used for delivering both air and water into the tank, and means for automatically controlling the relative proportions of air and water delivered into the tank, substantially as described.

2. In a water-supply system the combination with a water-supply of a pump for raising the water, an engine for operating the pump, a storage tank or reservoir into which the water is pumped, connections whereby the pump may be used for delivering'both air and Water into the tank, a valve controlling the air-inlet and a float connected with the valve and operated by changes of the waterlcvel, substantially as described.

JOHN L. W'HITE. lVitnesses:

FREDERICK O. GoonwlN, A. J. PRATT. 

